Canada had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Mexico on Tuesday in a physical finale to a two-match women's soccer friendly series.

Kadeisha Buchanan opened the scoring for ninth-place Canada. Jacqueline Ovalle responded for Mexico's 31st place, which ranks third in CONCACAF after Canada and the Americans fourth.

The second leg of the Summer Farewell Series marked the Canadians' final home game before heading to Europe to defend their Olympic title at the Paris Games next month.

Canada entered Tuesday's game 23-2-3 against Mexico. But this Mexican team showed character by holding on to win the tie.

The Canadians blanked Mexico 2-0 on Saturday in Montreal, in a game in which the home team took its time to reach maximum speed.

Canada controlled the match from the start on Tuesday, believing a goal was coming soon. But the final passes often did not match the build-up and no goals were scored at half-time despite 62% possession of the ball. Mexico launched a few counterattacks but lacked bite in attack.

The Canadians showed determination in the second half and the breakthrough came in the 48th minute, when Buchanan scored with a looping header from a Shelina Zadorsky cross.

It was the sixth goal in 149 appearances for the towering Chelsea centre-back.

Mexico responded in the 70th minute with Ovalle, who beat Jade Rose and then goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo with a spectacular deflected shot from distance. The equalizer added drama to the final 20 minutes.

Canada appealed a penalty in the 77th minute when Olivia Smith fell in the box, but Costa Rican referee Marianela Cruz remained unfazed.

There was an unpleasant moment late in the match when Mexican Karen Luna pushed Jordyn Huitema, who did not have the ball, to the ground in front of the Canadian bench. Luna was warned on the play but deserved to see red.

Coach Bev Priestman made five changes for Tuesday's rematch with D'Angelo, defender Zadorsky, midfielder Simi Awujo and forwards Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens in the starting lineup.

Awujo, a 20-year-old who plays college soccer at USC, took advantage of the start with a physical performance, leaving the Mexicans in her wake while showing off a keen eye for passing. He surely made his way onto the Olympic roster.

Fullback Jayde Rivière, defender Jade Rose and forward Janine Beckie, all certainties in the team, also impressed.

Montreal's lineup was tighter than one would expect at the Paris Olympics next month. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, defender Vanessa Gilles, midfielder Julia Grosso and attackers Adriana León and Olivia Smith made the bench Tuesday.

Sheridan is the team's number one goalkeeper, while Gilles is the linchpin of the defense. León became Canada's best striker, with 40 goals to her name. Grosso has been a midfield partner to captain Jessie Fleming and Smith is an exceptional 19-year-old talent capable of playing both in midfield and up front.

But Tuesday's game was also the last before Priestman names his Olympic team. That's why Tuesday's roster rotation involved offering opportunities to certain players.

Awujo, Lacasse and Viens came on in the second half on Saturday, with Lacasse scoring in the 86th minute in front of an announced crowd of 15,319. León opened the scoring in the 73rd minute at Stade Saputo.

Canada has until July 3 to name its squad of 18 players plus four substitutes. Priestman said he hopes to announce his squad at the end of June, so everyone knows what will happen when the team travels to Europe, where they are expected to play their final warmups during the international window of FIFA from July 8 to 16. just before the Olympic Games. tournament.

Tuesday's game drew an enthusiastic crowd of 18,805, including a small but vocal Mexican contingent, on a warm BMO evening.

Huitema and León came on to start the second half. Gabbie Carle, Emma Regan, Smith and Desiree Scott followed on the bench.

The Canadians will open the defense of their Olympic title on July 25 against New Zealand (26th) in Saint-Etienne before finishing Group A against France (5th) on July 28 in Saint-Etienne and Colombia (25th) on July 31. Good.

Priestman is waiting on the health of some players, as midfielder Quinn (knee) and defender/winger Sydney Collins (broken ankle) are not in this camp.

Tuesday's game was designated the Pride Game and the Canadian players wore special gear with Pride-themed numbers that weren't so special when reading them from a distance. Zadorsky, meanwhile, was honored before the match on the occasion of her 100th cap.

Fountain